The Cardiovascular Unit at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center has received the Silver Beacon Award for Critical Care Excellence. This award, given by the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, recognizes the nation’s top hospital units that care for acutely and critically ill patients.

The Beacon Award recognizes individual units that distinguish themselves by improving every facet of patient care. The award includes three levels so that a unit can chart its excellence over time. Bronze, silver and gold recipients receive a three-year designation.

The Beacon Award is presented to units that exhibit the highest quality standards, measured against national criteria for education, training and mentoring; research and best practices; patient outcomes; leadership and organizational ethics; a healing environment; and recruitment and retention.

“The vision and goal of the Cardiovascular Unit at McKenzie-Willamette has been to give the highest quality care to our patients and their families,” said Nurse Manager, Becky Bellingham. “Being recognized by our national organization of peers is an honor, and confirms our commitment to providing quality care in a compassionate environment.”

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